A weekend away in Kent and the chance to visit Elmley once more. After overnight rain it was clearer as we drove into Kent, a drop off in Snodland and then the drive onto Sheppey and down the entrance track. There was a lot more water around the reserve than on my last visit in December and as a result there were a lot of geese, duck and waders out on the marsh.
Where there are high numbers of birds then there is likely to be predators and we could see Marsh Harriers distantly on the marsh and on ethe fence posts several Buzzards.
The sun was trying to come out and as we drove the last part of the track two Brown Hare crossed the track and raced into the field. After a short spa they then jogged across the field.
We learnt that there are leverets about and these two were probably females.
A last look back at the car before disappearing into the longer grass.
From the car park we headed down past the Old School where there wasn't any sign of the Little Owl. Walking to the reed bed there were three Marsh Harriers quartering the reeds, here a male and a female.
They continued to fly over the reed bed, but frustratingly at some distance.
We walked to the Swale and with the tide low there was a gathering of Black-tailed Godwits on the mud.
A little further along was a small group pf Avocet.
We walked the sea wall path and were able to hear Bearded Tit, but frustratingly we were not able to see them.
At the end of the path you get a good view of the fields and marsh that is distant from the entrance track. Another Brown Hare sat on the top of the ridge.
Marsh Harriers came low over the field probably looking for any sign of the leverets. Large flocks of Wigeon were moving over the marsh.
Walking back a Marsh Harrier appeared to be interested in a particular area of the reeds, it wasn't clear what was there though.
The tide was much higher and the godwits were pushed closer together.
On the open water amongst the reeds were three Pochard, a male and two females.
A Reed Bunting on the path leading back to the car park.
And passing the Old School the sun had brought the Little Owl out on the bricks.
After lunch we headed east towards the hides. There were huge flocks of duck, mostly Wigeon flushed from the marsh and heading out on to the Swale.
Four Gadwall flew past quite close and out on the marsh there were lots of Curlew and Lapwing.
We walked towards the Southfleet hide where there was a large group of Brent Geese, as we came close they took to the air, surprisingly silently.
They had been scarce so far but along the track there were now several Stonechat, the males looking smart right now.
The walk back was into the wind and we were left with the image of the Brent Geese flocks against the windmills.
The flocks of geese and duck was impressive once again, but it was a quiet day once again, apparently there are eight Short-eared Owls in the area around the car park, but they are more nocturnal now. Driving out of the reserve there were more Marsh Harriers and large flocks of Lapwing and Godwits. At the gate the two Kestrels were on duty, but by then we had packed the camera gear away.
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